KOLKATA: Mohammedan Sporting Club have signed defensive mainstay Rana Gharami on a new deal that keeps him with the Black Panthers till the end of the 2017/18 Calcutta Football League.

“I am very happy to sign for Mohammedan SC once again. I have enjoyed every minute of the two seasons that I have spent here. We missed out on the CFL title last year and I hope to make Mohammedan SC fans proud this year by winning it,” Rana said.

Having joined Mohammedan SC in 2015 from Kalighat Milan Sangha, the 25-year-old formed a solid partnership at the back with then first team captain Kareem Omolaja Nurain. After Kareem’s departure from the club mid-season, Rana grew on his own and became the leader of the back-line, making key tackles, interceptions and clearances relentlessly.

Possessing good amount of strength and with a no nonsense approach, Rana was made the first team captain in 2016/17 season, and under his leadership the Black Panthers became runners-up of Calcutta Football League after 8 years before lifting the title in Sikkim Governor’s Gold Cup after 36 years.

His consistent performances for Mohammedan SC did not only earn him a spot in the Bengal state team for 71st Santosh Trophy, but also chosen to lead the team in the competition where the state team crowned champions without conceding a single goal in the entire final round held at Goa in February.